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6 Lesbians On The Loose Magazine • lotl.com
Letters / Local / Global / Gossip
News
ACROSS THE NATION
Newly-sworn-in Prime Minister Julia Gillard has
prompted outrage a er her public comments that she
does not support gay marriage.
Speaking on the Kyle and Jackie O radio show,
Gillard said: "We (the Labor Party) believe the
marriage act is appropriate in its current form, that
is recognising that marriage is between a man and a
woman, but we have as a government taken steps to
equalise treatment for gay couples."
Gillard went on to say the policy re ected her
personal view.
Lesbian entertainer Ruby Rose quickly attacked
the PM's comments via Twitter:
"When asked her personal opinion she stated yes,
she also believes this and it re ects community views.
Listen lady. OK so community views? She has not
asked the community for their views -- we didn't even
elect her! Australia elected her mate she screwed over,"
Rose tweeted.
"I'm just pissed o at the ranga. I expected more
taste from a 1st female PM."
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who is the Greens
spokesperson on Sexuality and Gender Identity, said
Gillard's stance was at odds with a range of opinion
polls which proved the majority of Australians
support gay marriage. "It's disappointing to hear that
Prime Minister Julia Gillard will maintain Labor's
out-of-date policy on gay marriage,'' Senator Hanson-
Young said. " e question is does she know, or does
she care what opinions are held within her own party
and the wider community?"
Senator Hanson-Young's Marriage Equality Bill,
the rst dedicated piece of legislation designed
to allow gay marriage, was voted down by a huge
majority. Hanson-Young has vowed to reintroduce
the bill and said she was hopeful Gillard would allow
a conscience vote, unlike Kevin Rudd.
"We hoped that a new leader would lead to a
change of thinking, but sadly Ms Gillard's comments
show she and her Government remain willing to sti e
debate,'' she said.
Gay activist groups are so outraged by Gillard's
comments they have resorted to asking another world
leader to step in and "educate" her.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener,
Alex Greenwich, has written to the Icelandic Prime
Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, who recently
married her same-sex partner, Jonina Leosdottir,
asking the Icelandic PM to explain the importance
of marriage equality to Ms Gillard. "Our hope is
that this leader-to-leader contact, especially between
two ground-breaking centre-le Prime Ministers,
will show Julia Gillard that marriage equality is
fundamental to the lives of gay and lesbian people and
to a just society," he said.
Rainbow Labor takes aim
Delegates to the annual conference of
Rainbow Labor Queensland have called for
all discriminatory legislation in that state to be
removed.
RLQ, an equity group within the ALP's
Queensland branch, recognised the LGBT
community needs specific services and funding,
and vowed to continue consultation with the
community to help repeal discriminatory laws,
including those related to adoption.
Delegates were guided by special guest
Labor Senator Louise Pratt and consulted with
members of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and
Gays, Brisbane and Australian Marriage Equality.
More info: rainbowlabor.org.au
Gay adoption hope in NSW
Same-sex couples could be allowed to adopt in
NSW if an historic private members' bill is passed.
Independent MP Clover Moore introduced the
Adoption Amendment (Same Sex Couples) Bill
2010 in June that aims to amend the Adoption
Act 2000 to refine the definition of "couple" which
is currently a man and a woman. Labor Premier
Kristina Keneally and Opposition leader Barry
O'Farrell have both announced a conscience vote
on the issue. Keneally has given her personal
support to the bill. Political number crunchers
suggest the bill needs the support of several
Coalition MPs to join the majority of Labor MPs and
the four Greens who have pledged support.
UK rethinks gay ceremonies
Liberal Democrat MP and equality minister Lynne
Featherstone has promised the government will consult
with PR and anti-gay groups on the issue of gay marriage.
The UK currently has a civil unions scheme. Possible
changes include allowing same-sex couples to have
religious elements in their civil partnership ceremonies.
Featherstone said the government was "100 per cent
committed to the LGBT agenda" and would meet with gay
lobbyists as well as those opposed to gay marriage. "It's
up to the people really. The government will be consulting
with all those with a stake," she said.
AND IN OTHER NEWS...
Gillard says you
can't kiss the bride
Equal Love, a LGBT group dedicated to campaign-
ing for equal relationship rights in Australia, has been
rewarded with two gongs at the recent ALSO Awards
in Melbourne. e ALSO Awards celebrate the work
of community leaders, volunteers, educators and the
entertainment community at a gala event.
Activism gets
award nod
Prime Minister Julia Gillard
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